Class I Science (Yearlong)

By becoming naturalists, Class I students learn to observe their natural surroundings and gain an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all organisms. Students learn to make and record observations using words, numbers, and drawings, as they keep a year-long nature journal. By tracking local ecosystems over time, students observe the changes that take place and collect the types of data that contribute to community science efforts. Students also explore the organisms making up ecosystems by considering the classification and diversity of major organismal groups with an emphasis on comparing and contrasting body plans. Students take a deep dive into environmental justice and access to green spaces, gaining an appreciation for Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and the relationship between the indigenous peoples of Massachusetts and nature. Along the way, students encounter simple machines used in indigenous technology and consider the role these still play in their everyday lives.  

Class II Science (Yearlong)

In Class II Science, students undertake a guided inquiry of the human body starting at the cellular level and work up in scale to the systems level. Through many laboratory, engineering, research, and modeling exercises, students develop a rich and hands-on understanding of how the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems connect and interact to keep us alive. Basic Mendelian genetics are also introduced so students can understand how traits are inherited. Students will develop laboratory skills and learn to demonstrate their understanding in writing with scientific arguments.

Class III Science (Yearlong)

In Class III Science, students develop an understanding of the Earth and life by exploring how the past can be used to inform our present and our future. Through inquiry-based activities and modeling, students are exposed to a range of topics in Earth and life science including geologic time, the Earth’s interior, seismology, plate tectonics, evolution by natural selection, and global climate change. Students build an understanding of these concepts as well as how they were developed, and use their problem-solving skills to apply their knowledge to new situations. Students learn how the Earth’s four spheres interact and demonstrate their understanding through the use of the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) format for written explanations.

Class IV Science (Yearlong)

Class IV Science is a laboratory-based course focused on the physical properties of matter and principles of physics. Throughout the year, students develop essential laboratory skills, engage in hands-on experimentation, and apply problem-solving strategies to analyze and interpret data. As the year progresses, students take on increasing independence and responsibility as they design investigations and support their conclusions with specific evidence and reasoning. In a culminating group project, students use their understanding of the properties of matter and apply their lab skills to separate, analyze, and identify the composition of an unknown mixture. Students close the year exploring real-world phenomena focused on forces, energy transformations, and motion.